Apparatus for grafting immature plants

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an immature plant grafting apparatus capable of seizing en bloc a plurality of saplings raised in array irrespective of a scatter in diameters of stems without requiring hand works and damaging the saplings and of grafting the saplings at a remarkably high efficiency but at low costs. The grafting apparatus has a plurality of induction plates (9a and 9b) formed with a plurality of induction grooves (10) open to seizing surfaces, corresponding to the number of saplings (3a and 3b) to be seized and their positions, induction plates so attached to upper and lower surfaces of one of a pair of seizing devices (4 and 5) as to protrude from the seizing surfaces, and buffer members (13) projecting from the seizing surfaces of the other seizing device so that each buffer member is fitted in between the pair of induction plates.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally belongs to a technical filed ofproducing agricultural saplings such as vegetables, gardening plants andfruits, and is directed particularly to an immature plant graftingapparatus capable of performing mass productions of grafting saplings.

BACKGROUND ARTS

Grafting of immature plants has hitherto been developed by hand works offarmers. There are prepared stocks and scions, grafting parts of whichare cut off by means a knife. Thereafter, the grafting parts are fixedlybundled with clips or strings and then employed as saplings afternurturing them.

In recent years, the number of agricultural workers who succeed to thisgrafting art has been decreased. Under such circumstances, grafting isin some cases performed by use of a robot or the like.

In the former conventional example, grafting is based entirely on thehand works which require a good deal of labors for manually cutting thestocks and scions and grafting them. In the latter case, the operationsof men are merely replaced with mechanical operations.

For this reason, it is difficult to graft a tremendous number ofsaplings.

In the latter case, the worker performs the operation by recognizing apattern while observing the saplings, If this operation is done by acomputer-incorporated robot, there arise problems of requiring much timeand expensive equipments. This leads to a rise in cost.

As prior art means for producing masses of grafting saplings, there areexemplified an apparatus for and a method of grafting immature plants,which involves the steps of seizing a plurality of saplings raised inarray with a pair of seizing members, obtaining both stocks by cuttingthe saplings with upper portions of the seizing members and scions bycutting them with lower portions thereof while seizing them with theseizing members, superposing the scion on the stock, and thus graftingthe two saplings.

The seizing tool employed in the prior art grafting apparatus is formedwith semi-circular arc notches for seizing the stems of samplings.

The saplings seized by the seizing tool are singly cut off with ancutting edge like a razor.

The above-mentioned seizing tool is constructed to respectively seizethe arrayed-saplings per line.

The seizing tool of the conventional apparatus for grafting the immatureplants has such a restraint that the saplings raised in array have to beinserted one by one into the notches of the pair of seizing members ofthe seizing tool. If inserted, the sapling tends to come off whiledealing with other saplings, which causes troublesomeness and requireslabors for seizing the saplings. An additional operation required is totake countermeasures against a scatter in thickness of the stems whichis due to differences between growth rates and forms by selecting thesaplings adaptive to a predetermined diameter of the notch of theseizing tool and fostering the saplings till the stems adjust themselvesto the notch diameter. This needs well-experienced techniques andknowledge. If the forms are different, and if the stems differ accordingto the times for grafting, a seizing tool has to be prepared accordingto the forms. When inserting the saplings into the notches of theseizing tool, the saplings are in some cases damaged, with the resultthat the samplings may probably be infected with diseases. The saplingstems are fixedly set in the notches each having the predetermineddiameter, and hence deformations such as constrictions are produced inthe stems according as the saplings grow. The deformed parts are stuckto the seizing members, which in turn leads to an easy-to-damagecondition for the samplings.

Besides, the prior art grafting apparatus has drawbacks in which thesaplings fostered in array in a sapling box are treated per line,whereby there are caused limits both to the number of saplings grafteden bloc and to a reduction in cost; and the grafting operations aresequentially carried out per sapling box, resulting in a probabilitythat the saplings of the initially grafting line will have alreadydrooped when grafting the saplings of the last line in the case ofone-line-basis grafting. An additional drawback is that the saplings areto be damaged due to hindrance by samplings of the previous line.

Furthermore, it is difficult to operate the edge of the cutting tooladapted to the foregoing operations, and this causes a dangeroussituation in which the fingers are to be hurt. In the case of a cuttingtool with a shank, the shank impinges on other saplings and spoils them.The saplings are cut off by manually handling the cutting tool, and itfollows that the operation becomes unstable. A fine cut face can not beobtained at one time. Besides, the cut face has to be confirmed eachtime, and a good deal of labors are required for such confirmations. Ahighly sophisticated technique is needed for obtaining the fine cutface, and it is difficult to cut the saplings catered for scionsparticularly with the lower portions of the seizing tool. The fact thatit takes much time to cut the saplings presents a serious problem to thesaplings for grafting which are fragile under a dried condition. Thisexerts great influences directly on a modulus of rootage and on a growthrate.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A first object of the present invention, which has been devised undersuch circumstances, to provide an immature plant grafting apparatuscapable of seizing en bloc a plurality of saplings raised in arrayregardless of a scatter in diameters of stems thereof without requiringdirect hand works of men and damaging the saplings.

A second object of the invention is to provide an immature plantgrafting apparatus capable of grafting a plurality of saplings so raisedas to be arranged in a plurality of lows per box with a view toremarkably reducing costs of production of the grafting saplings byoutstandingly increasing the number of samplings grafted at one time andalso improving a modulus of rootage of the grafting saplings.

A third object of the invention is to provide an immature plant graftingapparatus capable of cutting the respective saplings almostsimultaneously per box with a cutting tool to obtain extremely fine cutfaces with a facility but no necessity for a skillful technique.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide an immature plantgrafting apparatus capable of grafting a plurality of saplings so raisedas to be arranged in a plurality of lows per box with an extremely highefficiency on the basis of a belt conveyor mass production system.

To accomplish the above-mentioned first object, in accordance with afirst mode of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus forgrafting immature plants, comprising: a pair of seizing means forsimultaneously seizing a plurality of saplings raised in arrays; acutting tool for cutting the plurality of saplings seized by the seizingmeans with upper portions of the seizing means to obtain stocks but withlower portions thereof to obtain scions, respectively; and a means forsuperposing the seizing means which seizes a plurality of cut stocksobtained by removing the upper parts of the saplings on the seizingmeans which seizes the cut scions obtained by removing the lower partsthereof so that cut faces of the stocks and of the scions are fittedtogether, characterized in that upper and lower surfaces of one of thepair of seizing means are provided with plural pairs of induction plateschased with a plurality of induction grooves open to the seizingsurface, corresponding to the number of seized saplings as well as totheir positions, the induction plates being protruded from the seizingsurface, and with buffer members protruded on the seizing surface of theother seizing means so that each of the buffer members is fitted inbetween the induction plates paired.

To accomplish the first and second objects, in accordance with a secondmode of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus forgrafting immature plants, comprising: a stock raising box for raisingstocks; a scion raising box for raising scions; frame members sodetachably attached to upper ends of the stock and scion raising boxesas to be capable of positioning; an induction seizing tool including aplurality of induction seizing members; and an induction seizing toolincluding a plurality of support seizing members, characterized in thatthe two seizing tools are mounted on the sapling raising boxes throughthe frame members in such a fitting state as to be movable in a seizingdirection so that the seizing tools are able to seize the saplingsraised in the respective sapling raising boxes by use of the seizingmembers, and the frame member attached to the scion raising box ispositioned and superposed on the stock raising box.

To accomplish the first to third objects, in accordance with a thirdmode of the present invention, in the immature plant grafting apparatusstated in the second mode of the invention, there is provided theimprovement characterized by further comprising: a holding meansslidably fitted to the induction and support seizing members which areseizing the saplings; and a cutting tool having a cutting edge securedto an entire one surface of upper and lower surfaces of the holdingmeans.

To accomplished the above-mentioned objects, in accordance with a fourthmode of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus forgrafting immature plants, comprising: a first conveyor for sequentiallycarrying a plurality of stock raising boxes; a second conveyor, laid inparallel with the first conveyor, for sequentially carrying a pluralityof scion raising boxes; seizing, cutting and grafting stations, arrangedsequentially from an upstream side in the carrying direction of the twoconveyors; a frame releasing station provided in continuation from thegrafting station on the lowest stream side in the carrying direction ofthe first conveyor; seizing means, mounted on the respective seizingstations of the first and second conveyors, for seizing the saplingsraised in array within the sapling raising boxes by use of an inductionseizing member and a support seizing member and fixing the seizingmembers onto the sapling raising boxes in a state where the seizingmembers seize the saplings; a stock cutting means, mounted on thecutting station of the first conveyor, for cutting the saplings cateredfor stocks with upper portions of its seizing unit; a scion cuttingmeans, mounted on the cutting station of the second conveyor, forcutting the saplings catered for scions with lower portions of theseizing unit thereof; a grafting means, mounted on the grafting stationof the first conveyor, for fixedly superposing the scion saplings cutand separated from the lower parts of the saplings by the lower portionsof the seizing unit while being seized by the seizing members on asapling raising box for stocks obtained by cutting the upper parts ofthe saplings with the upper portions of the seizing unit, the lowerparts thereof being seized by the seizing members; and a frame releasingmeans, mounted on the frame releasing station, for taking off theseizing members which seize the saplings after completely grafting thesaplings.

According to the present invention, the saplings raised in array can beseized en bloc by the induction and support seizing tools regardless ofa scatter in diameters of stems without requiring hand works anddamaging the saplings. The seizing operations do not particularlyrequire skillful techniques but can be performed with simplicity. Thesaplings are seized without damaging the saplings, and hence there is nopossibility of infecting diseases from the damaged parts or adheringgerms to the seizing members.

The saplings, which have been raised in a plurality of lows in therespective sapling boxes, can be grafted per box. As a result, thenumber of saplings which can be grafted en bloc remarkably increases.This conduces to an outstanding reduction in the production costs of thegrafting saplings. The samplings can be grafted per box, therebyimproving a modulus of rootage of the grafting saplings which are quitefragile under a dried condition.

Besides, it is possible to readily cut the saplings by use of cuttingtools with no necessity for skillful techniques to obtain fine cutfaces. The saplings are cut off almost simultaneously per box, and it istherefore feasible to graft the saplings with their cut faces being keptin an extremely fresh state. The saplings which are fragile under thedried condition can be grafted invariably in a favorable state.

In accordance with the present invention, the stock saplings and thescion saplings can be grafted at a high efficiency on the basis of aconveyor production system, which in turn leads to savings of labor foreffecting the grafting operations and to a drop in the costs.

The above and other objects, modes and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art during thefollowing discussion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsand from the description which will deal with preferred embodiments inconformity with the principle of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing in detail a seizing tool employedin the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a seizing state of the seizingtool depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the invention of FIG.1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial plan views showing tangible examples,different from each other, of a means for fixing tip portions of theseizing member;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing a grafting state in thefirst embodiment;

FIGS. 8 to 12 inclusive are partial views in vertical section,illustrating tangible examples, different from each other, of a cutconfiguration in section;

FIGS. 13 to 25 inclusive are explanatory views showing tangibleexamples, different from each other, of a grafting part;

FIGS. 26 and 28 are vertical sectional views each illustrating adifferent cutting tool when being used;

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a state where the samplings for stocksare cut off;

FIG. 29 is a plan view showing a state where the saplings for scions arecut off;

FIG. 30 is a vertical sectional view depicting a cutting tool designedfor oblique cutting;

FIG. 31 is a schematic plan view depicting a whole construction of asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 32 through 36 are plan and side views each illustrating a seizingdevice employed in the second embodiment and vertical sectional viewsshowing first and second principal portions thereof;

FIGS. 37 through 39 are plan, side and front views each depicting astock cutting device;

FIGS. 40 through 44 are plan, side and front views each illustrating ascion cutting device and a diagram of assistance in explaining a cutterfunction;

FIGS. 45 through 49 are plan, side and front views each illustrating agrafting apparatus and a sectional view showing a heaping principalportion of a seizing unit on a frame releasing station;

FIG. 50 is a vertical sectional view of the seizing unit on a graftingstation; and

FIGS. 51 and 52 are a vertical sectional and side views each showinganother tangible example of the seizing unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A few preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

To start with, a first embodiment of the invention and variant formsthereof will be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 30.

Throughout the drawings, the reference symbols 1a and 1b representsapling raising boxes, each assuming a rectangular configuration inplane and having a predetermined depth, for stocks and scions.Designated at 2a and 2b are frame members attached to circumferences ofthe sapling raising boxes 1a and 1b. The sapling raising boxes 1a and1b, which are shaped in the same configuration, are employed. Stocksaplings 3a are raised in corresponding positions in the sapling raisingbox 1a for stocks, while scion saplings 3b are fostered similarly incorresponding positions in a sapling raising box 1b for scions.

The numeral 4 denotes an induction seizing tool; and 5 stands for asupport seizing tool. The seizing tools 4 and 5 are alternately fittedto the frame members 2a and 2b so that a multiplicity of saplings 3a and3b grown in a plurality of lows in the sapling raising boxes 1a and 1bare simultaneously seized.

The induction seizing tool 4 includes a lateral wood member 7 providedwith a plurality, e.g., four pieces of induction seizing members 8arranged in parallel to assume comb-toothed configuration. Fixed toupper and lower surfaces of the seizing members 8 are upper and lowerinduction plates 9a and 9b formed in the same shape and overhanging fromthe seizing surface of the seizing member 8, these overhangings beingformed with a multiplicity of V-shaped induction grooves 10 arranged atequal spacings in the longitudinal direction. A depth of each inductiongroove 10 is set on the same level or sightly deeper than the seizingsurface of the seizing member 8. The upper and lower induction plates 9aand 9b are fitted to seizure operating portions of the seizing member 8;and a thickness dimension L1 from the upper surface to the lower surfaceof the upper and lower induction plates 9a and 9b of the inductionseizing tool 4 is set equal to a thickness of the frame member 2a or 2b.

The support seizing member 5 is so constructed that a lateral woodmember 11 is equipped with four pieces of support seizing members 12corresponding to the seizing members 8 of the induction seizing tool 4.A seizing side surface of the seizing member 12 is fitted with a buffermember 13 like a sponge having an elasticity. Each of the seizing member12 and the buffer member 13 has a thickness adapted to insertion inbetween the induction plates 9a and 9b.

The seizing tools 4 and 5 are, as described above, alternately attachedto the frame members 2a and 2b. Formed on both sides of the framemembers 2a and 2b in the opposite direction are grooves 14 and 15 inwhich the lateral wood members 7 and 11 are fitted and notched grooves16 and 17 to which the seizing members 8 and 12 correspond. The grooves14 to 17 have sizes enough to make the seizing tools 4 and 5 movable inthe seizing direction while being fitted therein.

Depths of the grooves 14 to 17 are, when the lateral wood members 7 and11 of the seizing tools 4 and 5 are fitted in these grooves, so set thatthe upper surface of the upper induction plate 9a of the inductionseizing tool 4 is flush with the upper surfaces of the frame members 2aand 2b.

In connection with the frame members 2a and 2b, particularly the framemember 2b attached to the scion sapling raising box 1b is caught by,e.g., guide pins 18 protruded at every corner of the sapling raising box1b so as to be easily attachable to and detachable from the box 1b inpredetermined positions.

Provided at every corner of the frame member 2a for stocks is apositioning piece 19 for positioning when effecting superposition of thescion frame member 2b.

Based on the construction given above, the saplings for stocks areraised in the stock sapling raising box 1a, while the sapling 3b forscions are fostered in corresponding positions in the scion saplingraising box 1b.

When grafting the sapling 3a and 3b, the induction seizing tool 4 isfitted in the grooves 14 and 16 of the frame members 2a and 2b of thesapling raising boxes 1a and 1b. At this time, the induction seizingtool 4 is moved in the seizing direction from a position slightly awayfrom a position in which the saplings 3a and 3b are seized. As a result,the saplings 3a and 3b are induced by the V-shaped induction grooves 10of the induction plates 9a and 9b provided on the upper and lowersurfaces of the seizing members 8 and moved along the seizing surfacesof the seizing members 8, whereby the saplings 3a and 3b are positionedat predetermined spacings in lows along the seizing members 8. In thisstate, the induction seizing tool 4 is fixed to the frame members 2a and2b with screws or the like.

Next, the support seizing tool 5 is fitted in the grooves 15 and 17formed on the opposite side of the frame members 2a and 2b. At thistime, the support seizing tool 5 is, as in the case of the inductionseizing tool 4, moved from a position slightly away from theabove-mentioned seizing position. Each seizing member 12 is fitted inbetween the induction plates 9a and 9b of each seizing member 8 of theinduction seizing tool 4; and the sapling 3a and 3b accommodated in theinduction grooves 10 of the induction plates 9a and 9b are seized withthe aid of the buffer members 13. In a state where the saplings 3a and3b grasped by predetermined seizing forces, the support seizing tool 5is fixed to the frame members 2a and 2b with screws or the like. Turningto FIG. 3, there is illustrated the seizing state where the uppersurface of the induction seizing tool 4 is flush with the upper surfacesof the frame members 2a and 2b.

At this time, tip portions of the seizing members 8 and 12 of theseizing tools 4 and 5 are fitted in the notched grooves 16 and 17disposed vis-a-vis therewith, with gaps being formed on the oppositeside to the seizing direction. Then, wedges 20 are intruded into thesegaps, thereby stably fixing the tip portions of the cantilevered seizingmembers 8 and 12.

The wedge 20 may be made an elastic material such as a rudder or a leafspring as well as of a solid material. These wedges 20 have to beintruded singly thereinto but may be arranged in such a way that, asillustrated in FIG. 5, levers 21 are disposed in positions correspondingto the seizing members 8 and 12 and interlock with linkage members 22 tothrust the rear surfaces of top portions of the seizing members 8 and12. Another arrangement is that, as depicted in FIG. 6, protrudentmembers 23 for imparting spring biasing forces in their protrudingdirections in positions opposite to the rear surfaces of the seizingmembers 8 and 12 are so located as to be retractable in positions wherethe top portions of the seizing members 8 and 12 correspond thereto, andthe rear surfaces of seizing members 8 and 12 are held by the protrudentmembers 23 which protrude in the seizing state after intruding theprotrudent members 23 during the seizing operation.

The saplings 3a and 3 b for stocks and scions which have been fosteredin the sapling raising boxes 1a and 1b are caught by the seizing tools 4and 5, respectively.

In this state, the saplings 3a for scions are cut off by a cutting tool24 depicted in FIG. 4 on the side of an upper surface of the inductionseizing tool 4, while the saplings 3b for scions are cut off by thecutting tool 24 on the side of a lower surface of the induction seizingtool 4. At this time, the respective cut faces are arranged to be flushwith or a little bit protrude from the upper or lower surface of theinduction seizing tool 4.

Next, the frame member 2b holding the scion saplings 3b are dismountedfrom the sapling raising box 1b and then superposed on the frame member2a holding the stock saplings 3a.

At this time, positions of the two frame members 2a and 2b aredetermined by the positioning pieces 19 so that lower ends of the scionsaplings 3b, as illustrated in FIG. 7, contiguously face to upper endsof the stock saplings 3a.

The saplings 3a and 3b are left as they are for a predetermined period,with the result that the stock saplings 3a become integral with thescion saplings 3b, thus completing the grafting process.

At this time, the cut faces of the stock saplings 3a fixed per frame maybe sprayed with a growth adjusting agent or a germicide by use of aspray. The cut faces of the scion saplings 3b may be sprayed likewisewith the drugs or undergo a drug treatment while being immersed in adrug bath per frame member.

The frame member 2a provided for stocks may be integral with the saplingraising box 1a; or alternatively the function of the frame member 2a maybe given to circumference of the sapling raising box 1a.

During the cutting operation, as depicted in FIG. 8, a tilt cuttingplate 25 is set along the cutting face of the induction seizing tool 4,and the cutting tool 24 is made to move along the surface of the plate25, whereby the saplings are obliquely cut off. The stock and scionsaplings 3a and 3b are cut off in the same direction, and the cut facesthereof are fitted together while being guided along the tilt cuttingplates 25 and 25 to exhibit a state shown in FIG. 9. Tilt grafting isthus effected. Note that at this time spacers 26a and 26b each having athickness equal to a plate thickness of the tilt cutting plate 25 areinterposed between the frame members 2a and 2b superposed on each other.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown stepped grafting as another exampleof tilt grafting. The stepped grafting process involves the use ofstepped cutting plates 26 and 26.

FIGS. 11 and 12 further shows other examples of the cuttingconfiguration. Referring to FIG. 11, the stock saplings 3a is cut off ina protrudent V-shape by use of protrudent V-shaped cutting plates 27aand 27b. Turning to FIG. 12, the scion sapling 3b is cut off in arecessed V-shape by use of cutting plates 28a and 28b each assuming therecessed V-shape. The thus cut saplings 3a and 3b are, as in the case oftilt grafting, fitted together for grafting them.

FIGS. 13 to 25 inclusive illustrate other embodiments. In the embodimentof FIGS. 13 and 14, the saplings 3a and 3b are cut off to form elongatecut parts by means of a spacer, and these cut parts are grafted with abonding agent 29. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, theelongate cut parts are grasped by seizure sticking tolls 31 and 31fitted with an adhesive tape, thus grafting them.

In these two embodiments, there is no necessity for fixing the seizingtools 4 and 5 till the grafting process is finished. The seizing tools 4and 5 can be removed while the saplings 3a and 3b are tightly connectedby means of the bonding agent 29 and the adhesive tape 30. Hence, thenumber of the seizing tools 4 and 5 required can considerably bereduced.

FIGs. 17 and 18 in combination illustrate still another example of theconfiguration of the cut part, wherein the cut part of one sapling isformed with a recessed hole, while the other cut part is formed with aprotrusion. The protrusion engages with the recessed hole, thus graftingthe saplings.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the cut part of one saplings is split,while the cut part of the other sapling is formed with a tongue piece.The tongue piece is inserted into the split part, thus grafting onesapling into the other.

Additional examples are that the cut parts are sewed together with ayarn 32 (FIG. 21) or wound with a bandage 33 (FIG. 22) or fitted with apipe or a splint 35 (FIG. 23) or joined with a pin 36 (FIG. 24) or witha needle 37 of a stapler (FIG. 25).

FIGS. 26 through 30 in combination show a tangible construction of thecutting tool 24.

Throughout these Figures, the numeral 40 designates a cut face sidemember set along the cut face; 41 a first engaging member for slidablyengaging with the rear surface of the induction seizing tool 4; and 42 asecond engaging member for slidably engaging with the rear surface ofthe support seizing tool 5. The first engaging member 41 is fixed to oneside portion of the cut face side member 40, while the second member 42is rotatably linked through a hinge member 42a to the other side portionof the cut face side member 40 while being spring-biased in an engagingdirection. Secured to the cut face side member 40 is a cutting edge 44retained by seizing the both sides thereof with seizure-sticking members45a, 45b, 46a and 46b such as rubbers having large frictional forces.

Based on this construction, the second engaging member 42 is insertedinto the rear surface of the induction seizing member 8 of the inductionseizing tool 4 by rotating the second engaging member 42. At this time,the seizing tools 4 and 5 which are catching at the stock saplings 3aare so positioned that the cut face side member 40 is positioned towardthe upper surfaces thereof. Subsequently, the second engaging member 42is made to revert to its original state and then engaged with thesupport seizing tool 5, whereby a cutting tool 24 is slidably broughtinto engagement along the seizing tools 4 and 5 while the cutting edge44 is set along the upper surface of the induction seizing tool 4.

A spicate part of the stock saplings 3a which protrudes upwardly of theseizing tool 4 is cut off (FIG. 26) by moving the cutting tool 24 inthat state.

On the other hand, the cutting tool 24 is fitted to the seizing tools 4and 5 (FIG. 28) which are catching the scion saplings 3b in such mannerthat the cutting face side member 40 is located on the side of the lowersurface of the induction seizing tool 4.

The scion sapling 3b is cut off with the lower portion of the seizingtool 4 by moving the cutting tool 24 in that state while being graspedby the seizing tools 4 and 5.

At this time, heights of the cut faces of the saplings 3a and 3b arekept constant.

FIG. 30 shows a further example, wherein a cutting space 47 catches alower surface of a cutting face side member 40', and a cutting edge 44'assuming a corresponding configuration is fitted thereto with theintention of performing a slant cutting process.,

Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention and variantforms thereof will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 31through 52.

Referring to FIG. 31, the numeral 51 denotes a first conveyor; and 52 asecond conveyor. These conveyors 51 and 52 are disposed in parallel witheach other at a given spacing. The numeral 53 represents a sapling boxfor stocks, and the numeral 54 indicates a sapling box for scions. Thestock sapling box 53 is intermittently carried from the right to theleft by the first conveyor 51 in synchronization therewith, while thescion sapling box 54 is intermittently carried by the second conveyor 52in synchronization therewith.

The stock and scion saplings 59 and 60 are arranged by threes in thesame positions, e.g., in three lows within the sapling raising boxes 53and 54 and raised there.

A conveyor unit composed of the conveyors 51 and 52 is provided with aseizing station 55, a cutting station 56, a grafting station 57 and aframe releasing station 58 sequentially in the carrying direction. Theseizing station 55 is mounted with seizing devices 63 and 63 for seizingthe saplings 59 and 60 of each low within the sapling boxes 53 and 54which are disposed on the conveyors 51 and 52 and positioned at thestation 55 in cooperation with a catching plate 61 and a guide plate 62,the seizing devices 63 being located aside of the conveyors 51 and 52.The cutting station 56 is equipped with a stock cutting device 64 forcutting the stock saplings 59 in the sapling box 53 positioned at thecutting station 56 by use of upper portions of the catching plate 61 andthe guide plate 62 and with a scion cutting device 65 for cutting thescion saplings 60 in the sapling box 54 by use of lower portions of thecatching plate 61 and the guide plate 62, these cutting devices 64 and65 being disposed aside of the conveyors 51 and 52. The grafting stationis mounted with a grafting device 66 for fitting together the cut facesof the saplings 59 and 60 by superposing the holder plate 61 and theguide plate 62, which catch the scion saplings 60 in the sapling box 54on the second conveyor 52 positioned at the grafting station 57, on thecatching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 which hold the stock saplings59 in the sapling box 53 on the first conveyor 51. In addition, theframe releasing station 58 is provided with a frame releasing device 67for releasing, from the grafted saplings, two sets of catching plates 61and guide plates 62 which are superposed on each other at the graftingstation, the frame releasing device 67 being located aside of the firstconveyor 51.

A seeding device and an environmental control device for germination maybe provided on the upstream side of the two conveyors. The seedingdevice capable of seeding in predetermined positions is employed. Ifsome of the stock and scion saplings 59 and 60 can not be germinated andare remarkably deteriorated in their growth, a device for replacing suchdefective saplings may be provided on the upstream side thereof. Thesedevices may utilize an optical system used for production of plugsaplings for the purpose of detecting presence or non-presence and sizesof the saplings.

Constructions and functions of the respective devices located in theindividual positions of the conveyor unit will be explained as follows.

FIGS. 32 through 36 illustrate the seizing devices 63 and 63. Adescriptive priority is herein given to the device for seizing the stocksapling 59.

Designated at 70 and 70, as illustrated in these Figures, are guiderails laid aside of the first conveyor 51 and set in a directionorthogonal to this conveyor 51. A carriage generally indicated at 71 ismovably loaded on the guide rails 70 and is driven by a motor 71a. Thenumeral 72 represents a base board so mounted on the carriage 71 as tobe movable up and down by a cylinder 73. Disposed on the base board 72are a pair of support frames 73a and 73b movable in the carryingdirection of the conveyor 51 by use of cylinders 74a and 74b. Fixed toone support frame 73a are proximal ends of three pieces, correspondingto the number of sapling lows in the sapling box 53, of plate holders 75arranged at the same spacings as those of the sapling lows. Fixed to theother support frame 73b are proximal ends of guide plate holders 76standing vis-a-vis with the catching plate holders 75. These holders 75and 76 are cantilever-supported thereon. Provided in two positions ofthe lower surfaces of the respective holders 75 and 76 in thelongitudinal direction are vacuum support devices 77 and 77 for holdingthe catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 on their lower surfaces sothat these plates can be engaged therewith and disengaged therefrom.Fixing pin driving devices 78 and 78 are provided downwards outwardly ofthe vacuum support devices 77 and 77 in the longitudinal direction. Thefixing pin driving device 78 consists of a pin pushing rod 79 which ismoved down by the air and a tensile spring 80 for lifting the pinpushing rod 79.

A cushion material 81 such as a rubber is fitted to a grasping face ofthe catching plate 61. Chased in each of grasping faces of the guideplate 62 and the guide plate holder 76 are V-shaped grooves 82 eachdepressed by the cushion material 81 of the catching plate 61 whileguiding the saplings 59 in the sapling box 53. Fixed on both sides tothe upper surface of the sapling box 53 with pins 84 are spacers 83 and83 formed with pin holes 86 with which to engage stopper pins 85 soprovided at both ends of the catching plate 61 and of the guide plate 62as to be slidable up and down.

The fixing pin driving devices 78 and 78 of the catching plate holder 75and the guide plate holder 76 are mounted on a station 5 opposite to thestopper pins 85 which have been plugged beforehand into the holes of therespective plates 61 and 62 held by the holders 75 and 76.

The function of the thus constructed seizing device 63 will hereinafterbe described.

The carriage 71 is retreated, and at the same moment the catching plateholder 75 and the guide plate holder 76 are separated away from eachother. In this state, the catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 areadsorptively supported on the holders 75 and 76 by means of the vacuumsupport devices 77 and 77. The catching plates 61 and the guide plates62 are fed one by one by a stacker device (not illustrated) locatedunder the holders 75 and 76. Note that the plates 61 and 62 may be heldby the holders 75 and 76 with the aid of magnets.

Under the above-mentioned condition, the carriage 71 is moved forward ata predetermined stroke, whereby the respective holders 75 and 76 advancein between the saplings 59 of the sapling box 53. Then, the catchingplate 61 and the guide plate 62 are disposed on both sides of thesaplings 59 in such positions that the guide grooves of the guide plate62 stand vis-a-vis with the individual saplings 59.

In the wake of this step, the support frames 73a and 73b move in thegrasping direction to effect the seizing operation, and the respectivesaplings 59 are caught by the guide grooves 82 formed in the guide plate62 in cooperation with the cushion materials 81 of the catching plate61.

Thereafter, the stopper pins 85 caught by the catching plate 61 and theguide plate 62 are protruded downwardly of the plates 61 and 62 byoperating the fixing pin driving devices 78 of the holders 75 and 76.The plates 61 and 62 are, as illustrated in FIG. 36, secured to thespacers 83 and 83 with the fixing pins 85.

In this state, the vacuum support devices 77 are released, and theplates 61 and 62 are separated from the holders 75 and 76. Then retreatsthe carriage 71.

On the basis of the operations discussed above, the catching plate 61and the guide plate 62 are fixed to the spacers 83 and 83 of the saplingbox 53 while the catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 seize therespective saplings 59.

The description given above has dealt with a case of the stocks. Theoperations are, however, absolutely the same with the scions.

In the above-described operations, up-and-down positions of the catchingplate 61 and the guide plate 62 are adjusted by cylinders 73 and 73supporting the base board 72.

The next explanation will be centered on the stock cutting device 64 andthe scion cutting device 65 in conjunction with FIGS. 37 through 44.

FIGS. 37 to 39 depict the stock cutting device 64. In these Figures, thereference numerals 90 represent guide rails laid aside of the firstconveyor 51 and set in a direction right-angled to this conveyor 51.Designated at 91 is a carriage movably loaded on the guide rails 90 anddriven by a motor 91a. A base board generally indicated at 92 is somounted on the carriage 91 as to be movable up and down by means of acylinder 93. Cantilever-fixed to the base board 92 is a proximal end ofa cutter support board 95 to which to fix a plurality of, i.e., acorresponding number of cutters 94 to the number of lows of the saplings59 of the sapling box 53 on the underside of the top portion thereof.Disposed oppositely above the cutters 94 are suction ducts 97 eachcommunicating with a suction blower device 96 mounted on the cuttersupport board 95. Heights of the cutters 94 of the stock cutting device64 are adjusted to such positions as to slide along the upper surface ofthe guide plate 62 by means of the cylinder 93.

Turning to FIGS. 40 through 44, there is illustrated the scion cuttingdevice 65. In these Figures, the numerals 100 denote guide rails laidaside of the second conveyor 52 and set in a direction orthogonal to thesecond conveyor 52. Designated at 101 is a carriage movably loaded onthe guide rails 100 and driven by a motor 101a. A base board generallydenoted at 102 is so mounted on the carriage 101 as to be verticallymovable by means of a cylinder 103. A proximal end of a cutter supportboard 104 is cantilever-fixed to the base board 102. The cutter supportboard 104 is provided with protruded cutter support rods 105 the numberof which corresponds to the number of lows of the saplings arranged inthe sapling box 54. Cutters 107 movable by a motor 106 are secured tolower portions of tips of the cutter support rods 105. The cutter 107 isadapted to rotate from a position (FIG. 43) in which the cutter ishidden by the cutter support rod 105 to a position (FIG. 44) in whichthe cutter overhangs sideways while being directed to the secondconveyor 52.

The functions of the stock cutting device 64 and the scion cuttingdevice 65 which have the above-described constructions will hereinafterbe explained.

To begin with, the carriage 91 is moved forward from a state in whichthe carriage 91 has been retreated in the stock cutting device 64. As aresult, the base board 92 advances together with the carriage 91, andthe cutters 94 fixed to the top portion thereof move along the uppersurface of the guide plate 62, thereby cutting upper parts of thesaplings 59 projecting upwardly of the guide plate 62. The cut parts aresucked via the suction ducts 97 and then ejected. At this time, theheights of the cutters 94 are controlled by adjusting a level of thebase board 92 by means of the cylinder 93.

In the second place, the carriage 101 is made to advance from a state inwhich the carriage 101 has been retreated in the scion cutting device65, as a result of which the base board 102 moves forwards together withthe carriage 101. Then, the cutter support rod 105 advances in betweenthe scion saplings 60 arranged in the sapling box 54. At this time, thebase board 102 is lowered by the cylinder 103 so that the cutters 107are positioned under the guide plate 62 in a state where the tip of thecutter support rod 105 enters the sapling box 54, thus adjusting theheights of the cutters 107. Thereafter, the cutters 107 are rotatedsideways by driving the motor 106, whereby the respective cutters 107overhang in such positions as to interfere with the saplings 60 whilethe cutters 107 move along the underside of the guide plate 62. In thisstate, the carriage 101 is moved forwards, and it follows that thesaplings 60 are cut off along the lower surface of the guide plate 62.The cut parts are seized by the catching plate 61 and the guide plate62, at which time the heights of the cutters 107 are controlled byadjusting the level of the base board 102 by use of the cylinder 103.

Turning to FIGS. 45 through 47, there is depicted the grafting device58. Designated at 110 are rails disposed astride of the first and secondconveyors 51 and 52. Indicated at 111 is a carriage movably suspendedbetween the upper portions of the conveyors 51 and 52 and driven by amotor 11a. The numeral 112 represents a base board so mounted on thecarriage 111 as to be movable up and down by means of a cylinder 113.Arranged in a plurality of lows on the lower surface of the base board112 are two pairs of hook devices 114 for grasping, from both sides,bilateral portions of the catching plate 61 and of the guide plate 62 inthe longitudinal direction during their seizing operations. A hook ofthe hook device 114 is operated by a cylinder 115.

The function of the grafting device 58 will be described as below.

The operation starts with a movement of the carriage 111 up to aposition above the sapling box 54 catered for the scions on the secondconveyor 52. Next, the cylinder 113 is stretched to lower the base board112, and the expanded hook devices 114 are set opposite to both sides ofthe catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 which are seizing thesapling box 54. Thereafter, the hook devices 114 is closed by operatingthe respective cylinders 115 and grasp the plates 61 and 62 which arecatching the sapling box, and subsequently the base board 112 ascends.In consequence, the catching plate 61 and the guide plate are liftedwhile catching the scions 60. At this time, pins 84 by which the plates61 and 62 are secured to the spacers 83 are removed in such a state thatthe pins 84 are still fitted to the plates 61 and 62, viz., protrudeddownwardly of the plates 61 and 62.

Next, the carriage 111 is moved upwardly of the first conveyor 51,whereas the base board 12 is lowered. The catching plate 61 and theguide plate 62 which are grasped by the hook devices 114 are superposedon the catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 which are seizing thestock saplings 59 of the sapling box 53. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 48, the pins 85 projecting downwardly of the plates 61 and 62 onthe side of the scions engage with pin holes formed in the both sideportions of the plates 61 and 62 for the stocks, whereby these plates 61and 62 are fitted together. Thereafter, the seizure by the hook devices114 is released to raise the base board 111.

Owing to the operations discussed above, the cut faces of the scionsaplings 60 whose lower parts are cut off along the lower portions ofthe catching plate 61 and of the guide plate 62 impinge on the cut facesof the stock saplings 59 whose tip parts are cut off along the upperportions of the catching plate 61 and of the guide plate 62.

There is employed the frame releasing device 67 at the frame releasingstation 58, which has the same construction as that of the seizingdevice 63. Operations are reverse to the above-mentioned seizingoperations. The catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 which grasp thescion saplings 60 are at first dismounted, and secondly the plates 61and 62 which seize the stock saplings 59 are taken off.

At this time, the engagement of the spacers with the catching plates 61and the guide plates 62 which are piled up is released by, asillustrated in FIG. 49, removing the stopper pins 85 used for thisengagement while pushing the pins toward the stock sapling box 53 withpin pushing rods 79 of a fixing pin driving device 78.

On the basis of the above-described construction, the stock sapling box53 and the scion sapling box 54 are carried to the seizing station 55 bythe first and second conveyors 51 and 52 in synchronization therewith,wherein the stock saplings 59 and the scion saplings 60 which have beenraised in these boxes 53 and 54 are seized in array by means of thecatching plate 61 and the guide plate 62. These plates 61 and 62 aresecured via the spacers 83 to the sapling boxes 53 and 54 with the pins85.

Thereafter, the sapling boxes 53 and 54 are sent to the cutting station56 by the conveyors 51 and 52, wherein the stock saplings 59 are cut offwith the upper portions of the catching plate 61 and of the guide plate62 which grasp these saplings, while the scion saplings 60 are cut offwith the lower portions of the plates 61 and 62 which likewise seizethese saplings.

At a subsequent station, i.e., the grafting station 57, the catchingplate 61 and the guide plate 62 which are located above the scionsapling box 54 are superposed on the catching and guide plates 61 and 62for the stock sapling box 53 while grasping the cut scion saplings 60.The cut faces of the scion saplings 60 are, as depicted in FIG. 50,fitted onto the cut faces of the stock saplings 59 the upper parts ofwhich have been cut off, thus grafting these saplings. At the next framereleasing station 58, the catching plate 61 and the guide plate 62 aretaken off from the grafted saplings. However, if impingement graftingis, as illustrated in FIG. 50, simply effected at the grafting station57, the connections of the saplings require nurture for a few days.Hence, an interval between the grafting station 57 and the framereleasing station 58 corresponds to a time interval needed for thenurture thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, there are varied configurations of acatching plate 61' and a guide plate 62' which seize the stock saplings59 and of a catching plate 61" and a guide plate 62" which seize thescion saplings 60, and a window 120 is provided to face to the graftingparts. Each grafting part is retained by winding a tape 121 thereonthrough this window 120. In this case, frame releasing can immediatelybe performed at the frame releasing station 58. A grafting clip or abonding agent may be applied on the grafting part. When using thebonding agent, after impinging the cut faces of the saplings 59 and 60on each other, the bonding agent is sprayed or coated on this joinedpart. A configuration of the grafting part of the saplings 59 and 60 isnot limited to that shown in the foregoing embodiments, wherein theorthogonally cut faces about against each other. Other possiblearrangements are that tilt grafting may be effected by obliquely cuttingthe saplings; and further split grafting is also practicable, in whichone grafting part is split vertically, while the other is intrudedthereinto.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it isto be understood that the present invention is not limited to thoseprecise embodiments. A variety of modifications or changes may beeffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for grafting immature plants,comprising:a pair of seizing means for simultaneously seizing aplurality of saplings raised in arrays; cutting tools to said pluralityof saplings seized by said seizing means with upper portions of saidseizing means to obtain stocks but with lower portions thereof to obtainscions, respectively; and a means for superposing said seizing meanswhich seizes a plurality of cut stocks obtained by removing the upperparts of said saplings on said seizing means which seizes said cutscions obtained by removing the lower parts thereof and cut faces ofsaid stocks and of said scions are fitted together, wherein upper andlower surfaces of one of said pair of seizing means are provided withplural pairs of induction plates chased with a plurality of inductiongrooves open to the seizing surface, corresponding to a number of seizedsaplings and to their positions, said induction plates being protrudedfrom the seizing surface, and with buffer members protruded on theseizing surface of said other seizing means so that each of said buffermembers is fitted in between a pair of said induction plates.
 2. Thegrafting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: aholding means slidably fitted to said induction and support seizingmembers which seize said saplings; and a cutting tool having a cuttingedge secured to an entire one surface of upper and lower surfaces ofsaid holding means.
 3. The grafting apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein each of said induction grooves has a V-shape.
 4. An apparatusfor grafting immature plants, comprising:a stock raising box to raisestocks; a scion raising box to raise scions; frame members detachablyattached to upper ends of said stock and scion raising boxes which arecapable of positioning; an induction seizing tool including a pluralityof induction seizing members; and an induction seizing tool including aplurality of support seizing members, wherein said two seizing tools aremounted on said stock and scion raising boxes through said frame membersin such a fitting state as to be movable in a seizing direction so thatsaid seizing tools seize said saplings raised in said respective stockand scion raising boxes by use of said support seizing members, and saidframe member attached to said scion raising box is positioned andsuperposed on said stock raising box.
 5. The grafting apparatus as setforth in claim 4, characterized in that each of said plurality ofinduction seizing members is formed with a plurality of inductiongrooves open to the seizing surfaces, corresponding to the number ofsaid saplings to be seized and positions thereof and includes a pair ofinduction plates so attached to upper and lower surfaces of saidinduction seizing member as to protrude from the seizing surface, andeach of said plurality of support seizing members includes buffermembers so protruded from the seizing surface of said support seizingmember as to fit in between said pairs of induction plates.
 6. Thegrafting apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of saidinduction grooves has a V-shape.
 7. The grafting apparatus as set forthin claim 4, further comprising: a holding means slidably fitted to saidinduction and support seizing members which seize said saplings; and acutting tool having a cutting edge secured to an entire one surface ofupper and lower surfaces of said holding means.
 8. An apparatus forgrafting immature plants, comprising:a first conveyor for sequentiallycarrying a plurality of stock raising boxes; a second conveyor, laid inparallel with said first conveyor, for sequentially carrying a pluralityof spicate segment raising boxes; seizing, cutting and graftingstations, arranged sequentially from an upstream side in the carryingdirection of said two conveyors; a frame releasing station provided incontinuation from said grafting station on the lowest stream side in thecarrying direction of said first conveyor; seizing means, mounted onsaid respective seizing stations of said first and second conveyors, forseizing said saplings raised in array within said sapling raising boxesby use of an induction seizing member and a support seizing member andfixing said seizing members onto said sapling raising boxes in a statewhere said seizing members seize said saplings; a stock cutting means,mounted on said cutting station of said first conveyor, for cutting saidsaplings catered for stocks with upper portions of its seizing unit; ascion cutting means, mounted on said cutting station of said secondconveyor, for cutting said saplings catered for scions with lowerportions of said seizing unit thereof; a grafting means, mounted on saidgrafting station of said first conveyor, for fixedly superposing saidscion saplings cut and separated from the lower parts of said saplingsby the lower portions of said seizing unit while being seized by saidseizing members on a sapling raising box for stocks obtained by cuttingthe upper parts of said saplings with the upper portions of said seizingunit, the lower parts thereof being seized by said seizing members; anda frame releasing means, mounted on said frame releasing station, fortaking off said seizing members which seize said saplings aftercompletely grafting said saplings.
 9. The grafting apparatus as setforth in claim 8, characterized in that each of said plurality ofinduction seizing members is formed with a plurality of inductiongrooves open to the seizing surfaces, corresponding to the number ofsaid saplings to be seized and positions thereof and includes a pair ofinduction plates so attached to upper and lower surfaces of saidinduction seizing member as to protrude from the seizing surface, andeach of said plurality of support seizing members includes buffermembers so protruded from the seizing surface of said support seizingmember as to fit in between said pairs of induction plates.